Coupon Kitchen - Same ingredients can help you save big

By Alison Arnold

Published: Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 at 1:10 p.m.

By using the same ingredients in various recipes you can really stretch your grocery budget. This week, based on deals being offered at Harris Teeter, I was able to provide five meals with four servings each for only $44 total! That is less than $9 per night for a family of four – try to find that at any restaurant while also providing healthy, well-rounded meals.

Shopping list

Skillet burritos

1 onion – $.30

1 green bell pepper – $1.29

Harris Teeter 2.5 lb bag IQF chicken breasts – $5.24

Harris Teeter diced tomatoes with green chilies, 10 oz can – $.50

Harris Teeter pinto beans, 15 oz can – $.77

Harris Teeter reduced-fat shredded cheddar cheese – $2

Harris Teeter Farmer’s Market spring mix, 5 oz – $2.50

Mission tortillas, 8 count – $1

Shrimp quesadillas

1 lb shrimp – $5

Rosarita refried beans, 16 oz can – $1

1 avocado – $1.99

1 roma tomato – $.40

Salami and spinach stromboli

HT tomato paste, 6 oz – $.47

1 pizza dough ball – $1

Fresh Foods Market pre-sliced salami, 6 oz – $2.50

Harris Teeter 2 percent shredded mozzarella cheese – $2

Fresh Express spinach – $2.99

Hunt’s pasta sauce, 24 oz – $1

Italian chicken with mixed greens (recipe online)

Harris Teeter petite diced tomatoes, 14.5 oz can – $.79

HT Traders artichokes, 8 oz can – $2.50

Florentine pasta (recipe online)

Harris Teeter penne pasta, 16 oz – $1.50

1 red onion – $1.25

1 red bell pepper – $2.99

Harris Teeter low-fat cottage cheese, 8 oz – $1.50

Harris Teeter fat-free milk, 32 oz – $1.67

Skillet burritos

2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into ½-inch pieces

1 tsp olive oil

1 onion, chopped

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 tsp minced garlic

1 Tbsp chili powder

1 tsp ground cumin

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp garlic powder

1 cup cooked rice

10 oz can diced tomatoes with green chilies

15 oz can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

½ cup shredded reduced-fat cheese

1 cup mixed greens

4 tortillas

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil; swirl to coat. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink. Add onion, green bell pepper and garlic to skillet; sauté 3 minutes or until vegetables are tender.